Dithyrambic Singers

Dithyrambic Singers

About the Artistic Director/ Conductor

Ian obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of North Texas and Master of Music in Vocal Performance from Southeastern Louisiana University. He received his choral training under the guidance of Professor Mel Ivey, Dr. Brad Richmond and Dr. Susan Conkling. As a student, Ian toured extensively with the UNT A Cappella Choir, UNT Novum Canticum and SLU Concert Choir covering North America, Mexico and England. As a chorister, he has performed various major works including Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, Verdi’s Requiem, Mozart’s Requiem, Vivaldi’s Gloria, Poulenc’s Gloria, Bach's B Minor Mass and was featured as a tenor soloist in Benjamin Britten’s Rejoice in the Lamb.

Upon graduation, Ian taught at Ponchatoula High School, Louisiana for a year where he served as the Choir Director. His choir won First Class Honors at the State Choral Festival and many of his students auditioned successfully into the All State Choir. He was a member of the ACDA and LMEA.

Since returning from the United States, Ian has devoted his time to teaching voice and choir. He is presently the Choir Director of Dithyrambic Singers, University College Sedaya International Chamber Choir and University College Sedaya International Choir. His choirs perform and compete throughout Asia. In 2005, Dithyrambic Singers were awarded a Gold Diploma at the Voyage of Songs International Choir Competition in Shah Alam, Malaysia. In the following year, they won three Gold Medals and two Silver Medals at the Hong Kong International Youth & Children's Festival. In November 2007 they participated in the 1st Asian Choir Games in Jakarta, Indonesia, winning the Championship in the Musica Comtemporanea Category and a Silver Medal in the Mixed Choir Category. In April 2008, he conducted three performances in Brunei upon the invitation of the Brunei Music Society and also a master class for Jerudong International School. In July 2008, his choir was awarded two gold medals (Mixed Choir Open Category & Folklore A cappella) and a Special Jury Award at the Grand Final of 21st Century International Choral Festival, Orientale Concentus in Suzhou. In November 2008, his choir once again emerged Grand Prix Champion in Busan Choral Festival & Competition 2008 in South Korea after obtaining the highest scores from the panel of judges in both categories they participated in (Mixed Classic Category and Ethnic Category). Dithyrambic Singers was also invited as one of the guest performers in the Gala Concert. With all the awards and recognition, his choir was recently invited by the Singapore Government as one of the four award-winning guest performers in their World Youth Choral Festival 2008 in December 2008.

Ian adjudicates singing and choral competitions all across the nation and is in demand as a choral clinician. He has conducted masterclasses with the Penang State Symphony Choir, Young KL Singers and in 2005 was invited by the Macau Education Ministry to conduct a masterclass for their choral directors. In May 2007 Ian was a guest tutor in the 5th Kuala Lumpur Young Singers Choral Festival. In addition, Ian had worked closely with the Lyric Opera of Malaysia and was the Chorus Master for their productions of “Tosca” and “The Merry Widow”. Additionally, in 2007 he was the Choral Director for the Malaysian National Symphony Orchestra’s performance of Beethoven’s Symphony No.9

His students have been selected to represent Malaysia in the World Youth Choir, Asian Youth Choir, Asian Pacific Youth Choir. Ian currently lectures in UCSI University.

In the News


News: Bizet's Carmen Opera

28-30 January & 1 February 2015


News: Chirstmas Caroling 2014

25 December 2014


News: Distant Worlds: Music from Final Fantasy 2014

15-17 August 2014



News: An Evening with Bocelli 
5 May 2013


News: Distant Worlds: Music from Final Fantasy
16-18 Nov 2012


News: A Choral Voyage: Contemporary Masterpieces

1-3 June 2012


News歌海漫游:现代中国艺术歌曲
6 Nov 2011



News歌海漫游:陈络汉作品
30 Oct 2011



News: Dithyrambic Singers on Song
3 May 2010


News: Newsletter from DCINY
May 2010


News: The Dithyrambic Singers show why it is a group to watch out for
26 March 2009


News: Manifestasi anak seni pada Malam Amal Rayuan Atas Nama Kemanusiaan
3 February 2009


News: Atas Nama Kemanusiaan
1 February 2009


News: Choir Does Country Proud - Emerged Grand Prix Champion at the 2008 Busan Choral Festival & Competiton (Korea)

Performances and Awards


2019
30 November - 25 December 
Christmas Performances at One Utama, Pavilion and etc

24 September
Ge Hai Man You Concert (7) - Celebrated Opera Choruses
歌海漫遊 (7) 音乐演唱会 - 世界著名歌剧合唱曲

12-13 April
Performed in Distant Worlds: Music from FINAL FANTASY with Conductor Arnie Roth and Malaysia Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO)


24 Jan - 29 Jan
Performed in the Queen of Spades with conductor Stanislav Kochanovsky and Malaysia Philharmonic Orchestra.


2018
30 November - 25 December 
Christmas Performances at One Utama, Ikea (Damansara), KLCC and etc

24 November - 25 November

Performed in Choral Spectacular -CARMINA BURANA with conductor Roberto Abbado and Malaysia Philharmonic Orchestra

25 May

Ge Hai Man You Concert (6) - Contemporary Taiwanese Songs II
歌海漫遊 (6) 音乐演唱会 - 天籁·地咏·山谣 (台湾当代歌曲 II)


2017

30 November - 25 December 
Christmas Performances at The Starling, MyTown, One Utama, Mid Valley, and Ikea (Damansara and Cheras) and etc.

18 October

Performed in FINAL FANTASY 30th Anniversary - JIRITSU with conductor Arnie Roth and National Symphony Orchestra (NSO)

20 August 
Invited to perform 情韵之声2 - 合唱交流会

12-13 August

Performed in BEETHOVEN'S MIGHTY NINTH with conductor Naohisa Furusawa and Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO)

11 March 

Ge Hai Man You Concert (5) - Contemporary Taiwanese Songs
歌海漫遊 (4) 音乐演唱会 - 天籁·地咏·山谣


2016
25 Nov- 25 Dec
Christmas performances at KLCC, Velocity Mall, The Starling, Mid Valley, Ikea (Damansara and Cheras) and IPC mall. 

10 September 
Organized Beyond Borders: A fundraising concert. 

30 – 31 Jan
Performed in Mozart’s Requiem with conductor Andreas Delfs and Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra.

2015
28 Nov- 25 Dec
Christmas performances at KLCC, Viva Home, Sunway Putra Mall, Citta Mall, The Curve, Ikea (Damansara and Cheras) and IPC mall.

15 Nov 2015
Invited to perform at The 49th Kuala Lumpur Choral Festival. (第49届歌乐节)

9 Oct 2015 (Chinese Assembly Hall, Kuala Lumpur)
17 & 18 Oct 2015 (DPAC, Kuala Lumpur)
10 Anniversary Concert - A Decade of Excellence, Our Journey of Inspiration

21 - 22 March
Performed in Mahler's Symphony No 2 with conductor Benjamin Zander, Malaysia Philharmonic Orchestra and UCSI Chorale 


30 Jan - 1 Feb
Performed in Bizet's Carmens with Conductor Fabio Mechetti and Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra


2014
20 Nov - 26 Dec
Christmas caroling performances : KLCC, Pavilion, Tiffany & Co (Pavilion), IOI (Putrajaya), Sunway Pyramid, The Curve, Borders (The Curve), Ikea, IPC, and Viva Home

15-17 August

Performed in Distant Worlds: Music from FINAL FANTASY with Conductor Arnie Roth and Malaysia Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO)

6 June

Ge Hai Man You Concert (4) - Songs by Singaporean Composers
歌海漫遊 (3) 音樂演唱會 - 新加坡創作歌曲作品

15 March

Organized “回溯 中國藝術歌曲” - Sia Pei San (Soprano), Ryna Koh Jia Yi (Soprano), Hwang Jia-Zhen (Tenor), Gan Kee Huong (Bass), and Lam Chun Hsian & Kui Li Ern (Piano)


2013
Nov 17 - 27 Dec
Christmas performances at KLCC, Pavilion, Paradigm Mall, Sunway Pyramid, Mid Valley, Ikea and Ikano Power Centre. 

23 Nov 

Invited to perform at The 47th Kuala Lumpur Choral Festival. (第47届歌乐节)

23 Aug 

Organized Die Männer Von Dithyrambus: A Voice and Piano Recital (Kuala Lumpur) - Yap Yann Sen (Tenor) & Soon Kun Ming (Piano)

5 May

Official choir for Andrea Bocelli's Asia World Tour 2013: Live in Malaysia - Collaboration with Malaysia Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) with Conductor Marcello Rota. 

2012

24 Nov-26 Dec
Christmas performances at KLCC, Pavilion, Viva Home, Empire Shopping Gallery, Paradigm Mall, Sunway Pyramid, The Curve, Ikea and Ikano Power Centre. 

16-18 Nov

Performed in Distant Worlds: Music from FINAL FANTASY with Conductor Arnie Roth and Malaysia Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO).

13 Oct
Ge Hai Man You Concert (3) - Vocal Compositions by Khaw Guan Liang, Kuala Lumpur. 
歌海漫遊 (3) - 音樂演唱會 - 許元良作品


4 August 
Organized Un Viaggio II: A Voice Recital (Kuala Lumpur), Bui Yik Ling (soprano), Rachel Tan Cheng Shuan (soprano) and Terence Au (baritone).


1-3 June
A Choral Voyage: Contemporary Masterpieces Concert (Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre).

23 March
Organized Appassionata II: A Voice and Piano Recital (Kuala Lumpur), Ho Chi Mei (soprano) and Samuel Tan (piano).

2011
28 November - 26 December

Christmas performance at KLCC, Times Square, Mid Valley, 1 Utama, The Curve, Ikea and Ikano.


23 November
Invited to perform in Trinity College London's Celebrating 90 years of assessments in Malaysia: A Charity Concert (Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre).


6-7 October 
Ge Hai Man You Concert, Kuala Lumpur - 歌海漫遊 - 音樂演唱


30 August
Invited to perform in a Charity Concert (Kuala Lumpur).

25 June 

Invited to perform in a Charity Concert (Muar).


12-13 May

Organized and performed in Ms Doris Chua's and Mr Terence Au's Un Viaggio, A Voice Recital (Kuala Lumpur).


2010
November 28 - December 30

Christmas performance at Louis Vuitton (The Gardens), Starhill, Pavilion, Fahrenheit 88, Sungai Wang, Mid Valley, 1 Utama, The Curve, Ikea, Ikano and KLIA.

September 4
Organized a Voice Recital, Pua Shyh How (Tenor).

August 29

Invited to perform in On Wings of Songs Choral Festival, Kluang.

August 11 - 12
Ge Hai Man You Concert, Kuala Lumpur -
海漫遊 - 音樂演唱會


April 22 - 23

Invited to perform in Musical ProperGanda (Kuala Lumpur).

April 17

Invited to perform in Carnegie Hall by Distinguished Concerts International New York (USA).

2009

December 21

Christmas performance at Louis Vuitton, Starhill (Kuala Lumpur).

December 7

Concert with Felix Hell (Organist) at Dewan Filharmonik Petronas (Kuala Lumpur).

November 22

Invited to perform at Malacca Music Festival (Malaysia).
October 27

Invited to perform at Cultural Centre International Music Colloquim 2009
(Kuala Lumpur).


July 31

Organized and performed in Ms Ho Chi Mei's and Mr Samuel Tan's Appassionata, A Voice and Piano Recital (Kuala Lumpur).

July 15 - 19

Invited to perform at Jeju International Choir Festival (South Korea).

June 25
Zhao Xi Xiang Hui Concert (3), Kuala Lumpur - 朝夕相辉演唱会(3).

March 20 - 22

A Choral Voyage in KLPAC (Kuala Lumpur).

January 31

Invited by the Malaysia Government as Guest Performer in Malam Amal – Atas Nama Kemanusian.

2008 

December 9 – 13
Invited by the Singapore Government as ONE of the four award-winning guest performers at their World Youth Choral Festival 2008.

December 16 – 25
Christmas Performances at Starhill Gallery, Louis Vuitton (Starhill) and Pavilion Kuala Lumpur.

November 12 - 15
2008 Busan Choral Festival & Competition (South Korea). Won Grand Prix Championship and invited to perform as Guest Performer in Gala Concert.

November 9
Invited to perform at 42nd Kuala Lumpur Music Festival.

October 31
Zhao Xi Xiang Hui Concert (2), Kuala Lumpur - 朝夕相辉演唱会(2).

October 10
Choral d’ Arte – A concert with UCSI Chamber Choir, Kuala Lumpur.

August 17
Invited to perform in Malaysia Chinese Choral Festival in Klang, Malaysia.

August 10
Concert in Muar, Johor organized by Chee Tze Soo Pau Tze Choir.

July 20 - 24
21st Century International Choral Competition 2008, Suzhou (China). Won Champion & Gold Medal in Mixed Choir Open category, Gold medal in Folklore A cappella category, and Special Jury Award in Grand Finals. Invited to perform as Guest Performer in Opening Ceremony.

June 3 - 7
Invited to perform in 6th Young Singers Choral Festival, Kuala Lumpur.

April 12
Three concerts in Brunei, upon the invitation of the Brunei Music Society.

2007

December 1 - 25
Christmas Performances at Starhill Gallery, Louis Vuitton (Starhill), Genting Highlands and Pavilion Kuala Lumpur.

November 2 - 10
1st Asian Choir Games in Jakarta, Indonesia. Won Champion & Gold in Musica Comtemporanea category and Silver in Mixed Choir Category.

August 10
Zhao Xi Xiang Hui Concert, Kuala Lumpur - 朝夕相辉演唱会.
May 30 – 3 June
Invited to perform in 5th Young Singers Choral Festival, Kuala Lumpur.
March 16 - 17
Beethoven Symphony No. 9 (Choral) at Istana Budaya, Kuala Lumpur. Performed together with the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) under the baton of Maestro Mustafa Fuzer Nawi.

2006 

December
Christmas Caroling at Starhill Gallery and Louis Vuitton (Starhill).

September
Invited to perform in Malaysia Chinese Choral Festival in Kuala Lumpur.
August
Invited to perform in World Youth Wushu Convention in Kuala Lumpur.
July 10 - 12
Hong Kong International Youth & Children’s Choir Festival. Won three Gold Medals and three Silver Medals. Invited to perform as Guest Performer in the Opening Gala.
March 18
Concert in Kluang, Malaysia.
2005
December 9 - 10
A Voyage of Song 2005 (International Choral Competition) in Shah Alam, Malaysia. Won Gold Diploma.

August
Charity Concert in Pahang, Malaysia.
June 1 - 5
Invited to perform at 3rd Young Singers Choral Festival, Kuala Lumpur.